Egypt Family Adventure

Welcome to Cairo, a city that has been at the heart of Egyptian civilisation for more than 1,000 years and continues to shape the country today. There are no activities planned today as some flights arrive in the evening. Our welcome briefing will take place tomorrow morning. Want more time in Cairo? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative, allowing you extra time to explore the city and relax into the adventure.

After breakfast, usually at 7am or 7:30am, meet your tour leader and fellow travellers for a warm welcome to Egypt – a great opportunity to learn all about the adventures ahead. At the Grand Egyptian Museum – the world's largest archaeological museum dedicated to a single civilization – we come face-to-face with artefacts that are thousands of years old, including treasures from Tutankhamun’s tomb that rarely fail to impress younger travellers. The visit is guided with clear explanations that help make sense of the symbols, stories and daily life of Ancient Egypt. Later, we step into the lively lanes of Khan el-Khalili bazaar, where bright stalls laden with spices and crafts offer a chance to practise bargaining skills and meet local vendors.

Today is one of those travel days that lives up to every expectation. Standing on the Giza Plateau, we take in the scale of the Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus — monuments that have fascinated travellers for thousands of years. Our Egyptologist explains how these vast structures were built and why they mattered, answering questions from curious minds and helping younger travellers picture life in Ancient Egypt. The Great Sphinx, half-lion and half-pharaoh, adds another layer of mystery. Only the throng of sightseers milling around their huge foundations keep you in the 21st century. If you’d like to venture inside the belly of the pyramids, it is possible to pay for additional tickets locally. After, we drive to a viewpoint to see the grand monuments from another angle. There is free time later in the day to relax at the hotel or continue exploring Cairo at your own pace.

We typically transfer to Cairo airport before sunrise for our flight to Luxor (flight times can vary but we need to be at the airport three hours before the flight so expect a wake up around 2am). A breakfast box is provided, but you’ll also need to pack your day’s essentials into your hand luggage, such as your hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. After landing, we head straight to Karnak Temple, a vast complex built over more than 1,500 years. Walking between towering columns, it is easy to imagine religious ceremonies and processions that once took place here, while our early arrival means we miss the big crowds that arrive later in the day. We then tour the smaller Luxor Temple complex, where we see more grand monuments from the ancient world. After, we arrive at our cruise boat in time for lunch on board before free time in the afternoon to relax or head back into Luxor for more exploration. Upgrade to an upper-deck cabin today – speak to your sales representative for more details

We cross to the west bank of the Nile very early, travelling to the Valley of the Kings on a 30 to 40-minute bus ride. Here, discreet entrances lead underground into richly decorated tombs, their walls covered with colourful scenes intended to guide pharaohs into the afterlife. Exploring inside these chambers is often a highlight for younger travellers. One ticket allows us to see three tombs, usually into what are regarded as the most impressive tombs. However, if there is time, we recommend a visit to the tombs of Ramses VI and Tutankhamun – these require extra tickets, which can be bought locally. Visits to tombs are now strictly controlled to halt further deterioration of wall paintings – each tomb is periodically closed for several weeks. On crowded days, make sure to have a quick visit to each of the included tombs if you want to add extra tombs as your tour leader will give a fixed meeting time in order to return to the cruise boat before it sails. Nearby, the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut tells the story of one of Egypt’s most remarkable rulers, while the Colossi of Memnon provide a final dramatic stop before we return to the boat. Returning to the boat, we begin sailing along the Nile. As the river carries us south, families can relax on deck, play cards, read or simply watch villages and farmland drift by. Upgrade to an upper-deck cabin today – speak to your sales representative for more details

This morning, we visit Edfu Temple, dedicated to the falcon-headed god Horus and one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. Its carvings are clear and detailed, making it easier for children to spot scenes and symbols explained by the leader. Later, after time sailing and relaxing on board, we stop at Kom Ombo, a temple unusually dedicated to two gods. We continue cruising towards Aswan, arriving later in the evening. Please note: Exact sailing and excursion times cannot be guaranteed for each individual trip. Upgrade to an upper-deck cabin today – speak to your sales representative for more details

We wake in Aswan, a smaller and more relaxed town with strong Nubian roots. Families can browse the local bazaar, where spices and souvenirs offer plenty to look at. Today there’s the option of flying to the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel, 186mi (300km) to the south through the Nubian Desert. Built by Ramses II, the two temples are certainly some of the most spectacular in Egypt. Originally on the banks of the Nile, the temples were raised to a new site above the lake in the late 1960s, as the waters from the new Lake Nasser rose behind the Aswan High Dam. The four great seated statues of Ramses II stare east towards the rising sun. We arrive back in Aswan around 1.30pm, before lunch. Alternatively, remain in Aswan and visit the Nubian Museum, which offers a clear and engaging look at local culture and traditions. Upgrade to an upper-deck cabin today – speak to your sales representative for more details